By Judy Hsu and Blanca Rios, ABC 7 Chicago VALPARAISO, Ind. (WLS) — It looks and sounds like a typical grocery store. But the Shared Table Food Pantry, located inside Opportunity Enterprises in Valparaiso, serves a dual purpose. “We are trying to give back to the community in Porter County. We are also trying to give opportunities for folks that […]

By Aaron Dorman, The Times of Northwest Indiana EAST CHICAGO — The line for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana’s mobile market spilled into the parking lot at The Cross Church and wrapped around a full city block; an estimated 400 cars showed up for the last turkey meal delivery before Thanksgiving, with some drivers […]

By Kimani Krienke, The Times of Northwest Indiana While many across the Region soaked in the sunny Saturday morning that kicked off the weekend before the hustle of Thanksgiving week, hundreds of cars lined up and down Broadway and 61st Avenue in Merrillville waited for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana to open. People of […]

By: Andy Koval, WGN9 PORTER COUNTY, Ind. — A Northwest Indiana law group is carrying on their annual Thanksgiving tradition by giving out 1,200 dinners. Attorney Ken Allen and his law group, based in Chesterton, started giving out Thanksgiving dinners in 1994. Distribution to 1,200 families begins on Friday in Chesterton, at 502 Allen Court, and […]

By Christine Bryant, Times correspondent What began as a small grassroots effort distributing food from a small barn in Gary has evolved into a regional 72,000-square-foot hunger-relief hub that distributes millions of meals annually. But as the holidays approach, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is facing growing challenges alongside the families it serves. “The […]

By Maya Wilkins | Post-Tribune Gary residents without November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will soon receive help from the city, Mayor Eddie Melton announced Monday. Melton announced a local response plan, “Gary SNAPS into Action,” to assist residents who lost SNAP and EBT benefits due to the government shutdown. The city and its partners received $275,500 […]

By Aaron Dorman “It’s the start of a beautiful relationship,” said Omar Estwani, president of the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center. It wasn’t just a nod to Casablanca. The NWIIC donated $10,000 to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana on Friday afternoon, in a show of support for the community and efforts to fight food insecurity […]

By Rayonna Burton-Jernigan and Javonte Anderson With federal food aid in flux, organizations and residents across Gary and Northwest Indiana are stepping up to make sure their neighbors don’t go hungry. Among them is the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, where volunteers and staff are preparing for what could be one of their busiest months […]

Volunteers in bright green safety vests quietly packed food Monday at the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana as U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan talked about the impact of America’s longest government shutdown on poor and vulnerable Hoosiers. Mrvan, D-Highland, came to the Merrillville food bank to learn about its elevated emergency response plan after food […]

By Dan Carden MERRILLVILLE — Congressman Frank J. Mrvan wants Northwest Indiana residents struggling to put food on their tables amid the federal government shutdown, and the interruption of the federal food assistance program, to know they’re not alone. The Highland Democrat declared Monday the Region is united in supporting its neighbors in need and he called on […]